I always brag I'm #1 in La Jolla to select audiences that would care, but on it's own it doesn't carry much currency; combined with my other resume' points, it's like adding spices to a well prepared meal.

I don't think the public has a clue about rankings.   It's the power of the information presented that brings business.  

In Arizona I did receive some AR business when I was number one in Gilbert. Then, when I was #2 in Mesa that seemed to help also. It has been a while though- I took quite a bit of time off blogging and have since moved to Utah where I'm number one in the county. In this state AR seems to have little pull and I don't think it has an impact. Plus- the grabbing power of the web search has changed. The web is simply too huge to dent. The real power of AR, in my opinion, is that it serves as a great place to build a brand, befriend fellow industry difference makers, and offer potential clients the ability to see if you are the type of person they feel could serve them well. On occasion a post of yours may show up in their search feed- which is a bonus. I don't know, however, if many people come here to see who "owns" the city, town, or county or state.

no it doesn't bring business...it's recognition within this platform, in my opinion.... 

I have been #one on all three areas for several years.  I doubt it has any influence on my business. 

It has virtually no impact on business.  I suppose it can help a tad as others may be more likely to find you on here and check out your profile if they have a referral for your City.   State doesn't matter as that is generally too broad.

The points system may bring business... or may not.  I personally do not look at points.  What brings me business is marketing my properties, putting my client first above all else and having a great reputation for hard work and fair play.

I can't speak for anyone else but no I can't say that is in the top ten. I think the points are more about creating an incentive to participate. After all, people driven to success are competitive. It also should not dominate your life becasue if you depend on Active Rain and points, you probably won't be successful in your marketing, it should be a part of your overall strategy.

It can be relevant if marketed to do so. If the AR folks tweak this, it can be very relevant to all bloggers.

I think what matters is that when people who may be thinking about working with you check you out on Google, they are pointed to interesting places and well-written posts. 

Some buyers who were working with a colleague and considering one of my listings found a post I wrote on the building and one particular quirk (they didn't allow in-unit washer/dryers).  After reading the post, they bought the place. 

This is more important than their learning that you are an ActiveRain points junkie (um, moi!)

You may be better positioned for some searches but I do not think that prospects pay much attention to the ActiveRain points system.

The points may be better for your ego than for your business. 

I am not really interested in being #1 in my state, county or city. 

I don't know if it does or not. But I do suspect that I get referrals that way. I look at the area when I give a referral and if someone at the top is a blogger I know, I'll call them first. 

Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers Most people I ask have never hear of ActiveRain. So I don't think it has much of an impact.

I am #1 in my city and for me it's just an Alpha dog thing. I have not gotten any business from it but our market is very different from most areas of the country.

The #1 in my city (Cupertino, CA) was my managing director. He teaches to all agents in the area with supposedly several 1000 agents.  He understood the 500K bunch mark. With all agents sign up once or trice he got to that point in snappy time.  I am no #2 in the City. The phone has not ran once yet. 

I got 1 fatal spam and a nice AR rainmaker came chat with me from out of town.

i think it is important, when i have done a search in the past, it seems to matter.

I have been #1 in my city and state for quite a while, and do believe it does bring me more referrals.

It does put you on the top of the page in your area if you are #1 or 2.

It is important for me because that is in my nature.  I see a points ladder and I want to climb it.  It is addicting to see those numbers go up.  I should be in the top 1,000 of my state by the end of the year (9,000 points away!) along with being #2 in my city and #23 in my county.

I heard a rumor many moons ago that the higher you rank, the more Google love you get.  Likely because you have more posts linking to your site.

Do I think "Top blogger on Active Rain" will win me any business?  Not if I say it that way!  Phrased right so that people who don't know or care what AR is get impressed with the accomplishment, that might be icing on the cake.  I see this the same way as advertising that you are a "Zillow Premier Agent."  I have a realtor in my area that sends out fancy postcards that list that as one of his qualifications.  I don't see an average client caring or understanding what that means.  Explained in "how does this help my house sell" terms, it can work.  It's all about how you say what you have to say.

I would like to be #1 in my city and that's my goal. Goals keep me motivated. If I want to be #1 in my city, then that is the drive that I need to get blogging. If I didn't have that goal, I'm not sure I would blog as much. So, it's keeps me motivated, makes sure my $199 isn't wasted, and hopefully helps me with SEO. If it helps with business, even better.

Tony and Suzanne - Great question. I could see how it could help, because the more blogs you write, the more points you get. The more points you get, the closer to being #1 in your state you become. I think it is more about the content than the actual ranking.

Also, there are a lot of AR people very high up in points who do not blog at all anymore. As far as I know, they may not even be in the real estate industry anymore. So, for them to be #1 in their state really wouldn't mean anything.

I'm #52 in my state and #11 in my county, first in my city. No, no one ever called me telling I want to hire you because of your points:) 

But they do call because they find my blog post. I seriously doubt they care about my rank. Do you seriously believe anyone( public) ever checks leader-boards. 

I don't know,  My wife is #1,  but she does get business because of it.

Not important here in Hawaii.

Tony and Suzanne,

It does not matter to the public at large...from our perspective it is fun. A

I know it's where I go look for a referral source, of course if they haven't been active in years I look further down the list.

It's not really all that important to me to be number one, but I am. And that's really neat, too. That's only because no one else is active in my area. I've tried to get other people to join, but they don't see the value in that, so I'm keeping AR all to myself. 

Does our ranking have value with the consumer...I have no idea about this. I haven't gotten a buyer or a listing because I'm number one in my area. Although I have gotten buyers and listings because I'm an AR member. 

I liked when I became number one in my county and city but can't say it brought anymore business from the public. I have received referrals through AR because of it.

YES! I have had Sellers call me to list their home because I am the number one real estte agent in the State of Indiana. In fact, I am the number one ActiveRain blogging agent in the State of Indiana!

Yes it has brought me business...and it keeps me blogging to stay on the front page

I think the blogs you write and information you share will get you more business then your position on the leaderboards. The SEO is how people will find you not by looking at the leaderboards.

Very important to me. I love to be recognized as #1 in my city where I am supposed to be the expert.

Michael Jacobs hit the nail on the head. Quality over quantity. The people do not even know what Active Rain is.

Tony and Suzanne,
I think if you rank well it is one more thing to show listing prospects. I have gotten business from my  blog and a nice referral from a fellow AR member so I think it is worth it.

Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers that 'craze' was there for sure - in the beginning. And once I have been there (#18 overall, #2 in MA and #1 in my county/city), I still like to maintain that position.

And yes, this helps me. I share my 'online presence' with prospects and how this helps me help them to achieve their goals.

I get business from Active Rain, though I'm not sure if it has anything to do with my points or ranking.

Being #1 in the county has brought me two clients from the rain.

I'll never have to worry about the state.

I do not think they search for us by our ranking.

I'm competitive, so I personally care about my standing. However, the public really doesn't care, they are more interested in you and what you have to say.

I am number one in Beverly Hills, what brings me business is my Blog Posts and my relationship with Active Rain members who give me referrals not where I rank on the Leader Board that is more an internal competition,E

It's very important to me ....I often tell people that ActiveRain is the best thing I do for business!

Great question!